Amaziah, a priest of Bethel, said to Amos, "Off with you, visionary! Off to Judah! Earn your bread there by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary."
Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor did I belong to a company of prophets. I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. But the Lord took me from my flock, and he said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people.'"Amos 7: 12-15
The Lord God is present and active everywhere in the world. At times his power takes hold of individuals, calling them for special work. They become aware of his presence. They hear his voice. They are compelled to respond. Driven by his Spirit, they go forth to carry on the age-old mission of prophecy.
The Spirit of the Lord takes hold of whomever he wills. His Spirit is not the domain of the duly appointed. It is not conferred solely on the formally ordained. It is not given by a consensus of a community. It comes from God. It may rest upon the least likely - even on us.
Each of us is called by God to live in the world in a unique way. We may be sent only to a small circle of family or community; we may be charged with tasks that seem insignificant to others. But our mission is of utmost importance because we are called to take part in God's work of sanctifying the world.
If we do not answer God's call, our work will not be done. No one else can take our place. If God says to us, "Go, prophesy," we must answer. Wherever he sends us, we must go. Whatever he commands us, we must do.
Every calling is a mission to prophesy, to bear witness to the presence and power of God in the world. We witness sometimes with words, but most often by our actions. By living our faith, we challenge the world to become open to the holiness of God, to be transformed by the power of his love.
Lord God, you call us to take part in your creative work in the world. Grant us the wisdom to discern your word in our life, the faith to follow your will in all things, and the courage to be your witnesses to whomever you send us.